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Thursday, August 19, 2010

After my flying the Detroit Shuttle yesterday, I decided to stop downtown to catch the movie Eat Pray Love. No I have not read the book yet. I know most people read the book and then see the movie. Well I am different. I am seeing the movie first then I will read the book.

I connected with Julia Roberts character Liz on so many levels.

My first connection was with the box. Her box of dreams, Liz collected photos and articles of all the places she wanted to visit.

I started creating my box of dreams after my sophomore year of high school. My sister and I were unable to go to Paris for spring break with Madame Susan Tartare's French class from Luther South. This was my defining moment to start collecting everything I could about Paris. I began collecting the Chicago Tribune and Suntimes Travel Section. I read travel articles about Paris. I watched the airfares and followed the currency (french franc). Each time that Madame Susan Tartare show our french class about a film about Paris or France, I visualized myself there. This created a burning desire so deep inside of me. I focused on my dream for the seven years during high school and college.

The second connection I had with Liz was her description of feeling dead, no pulse. The experience of travel definitely brings one alive. That is the reason for me being a flight attendant. I feel alive when I view the beauty of earth from above. I feel alive when I interact with people of other cultures. I feel alive when I hear the languages of other tongues. Something resonates within my soul. I come alive. I feel the emotions of the languages spiritually connecting within me.

My third connection with Liz was that she was a woman traveling solo. I left my home two days after I graduated from Mundelein College to fly to Paris. I left solo. I did not know anyone in Paris. The only thing I knew was where I would be living for the next year. I had no friends, no job, nothing but my dreams. I chose to live at L'UNCF which is similar to a YWCA.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

These are photos from my walk to Parc Monceau or Park Monceau which is walking distance from the Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris Hotel. I spent days there jogging or walking when I was a student living there in Paris.

After twenty-five years I have the opportunity to return to Paris. I accepted the invitation to accompany an old high friend. This is one invitation I could not turn down.Paris is one of my favorite cities. My love affair with Paris started when I was in high school.

I began studying French during my sophomore year. I went to live in Paris after I graduated from college and received my B.A. in French Language and Culture. These photos are from where I lived as a student in Paris. The photos are of the Eiffel Tower and River Seine.

My mother took my sisters and I to New York when I was twelve years old. That experience created my desire to fly. I love the thrill of the take off and landing. My sisters were frightened by the engine noise and movement. It felt to me like a roll coaster ride.

It took me a lifetime to begin my career as a flight attendant. I applied after graduating high school and during college without success. I never gave up on my dream to fly. I finally became a flight attendant in 2007 for American Eagle Airlines. I am based out of Chicago O’Hare Airport. I fly domestically on the Regional Jets.

What does an airline look for in a Flight Attendant?
I would recommend having strong customer service skills and communication skills.

What is the schedule of a Flight Attendant?
You must be willing to move to another city, work weekends, holidays and long days.

Is there an age limit on becoming a flight attendant?
U.S. Airlines can no longer discriminate by age. You can be any age and apply to be hired as a flight attendant.

What is the beginning salary of a flight attendant?
Beginning flight attendants salaries vary by airline. The range can be $12,000 to $18,000 for new hires. Some airlines pay for training, others do not pay. It is a good idea to have some money saved up if possible to help you through basic training and moving to another city after training.